Cascada Expediciones - Your dream adventure is our dream goalhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/cascada
enmedia/newshttps://feedburner.google.comChile Wins Best Adventure Travel Destination for 3rd Year in a Rowhttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/40xTJw70jRA/Chile-Wins-Best-Adventure-Travel-Destination-3rd-Year-Row
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Viva Chile! For the third year in a row, from 2015 to 2017, Chile has been named <a href="https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-south-americas-leading-adventure-tourism-destination-2017"><strong>the</strong> <strong>best adventure travel destination in South America</strong></a> at the World Travel Awards, an award ceremony that is known in the industry as the "Oscars of tourism". Congratulations, Chile!</p>
<p><img alt="winter in torres del paine" title="winter in torres del paine" height="500" width="800" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/winter%20in%20torres%20del%20paine.jpg" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Why Chile?</strong></span></p>
<p>We can’t say we’re that surprised, though. With diverse and varied landscapes covering the entire country from top to bottom, each destination offering unique opportunities for exploration and fun, it’s no wonder that Chile walked away with the top prize!</p>
<p><img height="1281" width="1282" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/DEST-Chilean_Patagonia.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>The driest desert in the world, the Atacama</strong></p>
<p>Starting in the <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Destinations/Atacama-Desert">Atacama Desert</a> in the north of the country, visitors are entranced by the Martian quality of the landscapes, with its red sand and bizarre rock formations, valleys of towering, rippling rock in a variety of colors, shimmering high altitude lakes that attract local wildlife like flamingos and vicunas (a relative of the llama), volcanoes, geysers, and much more, there’s no other place like it on Earth!</p>
<p><img title="Atacama Moon Valley " height="427" width="640" style="font-size: 14.768px; width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Atacama/Moonvalley.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>Santiago, skiing, and wine</strong></p>
<p>From there, guests can head to <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Destinations/Central-Valley">the central zones</a>, home to the cosmopolitan, storied streets of the <strong>capital city of Santiago</strong>, full of art, culture, a blossoming restaurant scene, hip bars and more. All this just short drives away from the Andes mountains, where during the winter you can shred the slopes at two of South America’s<a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/Snow-Adventures"> <strong>best ski resorts</strong></a>, Valle Nevado and Portillo, the wine valleys where you can go on <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/Food-Wine"><strong>tours and tastings</strong></a>, or <strong>Valparaiso</strong> on the coast, the heart of Chile’s bohemian scene with its vibrant houses, street art, and funiculars.</p>
<p><img alt="BEST-PICKS-IN-AND-AROUND-SANTIAGO" title="BEST-PICKS-IN-AND-AROUND-SANTIAGO" height="698" width="1250" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/BEST-PICKS-IN-AND-AROUND-SANTIAGO2.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>The Lakes District</strong></p>
<p>Heading further south, you’ll find the <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Destinations/Lake-District">Lakes District</a>, home to volcanoes, pristine lakes and rivers, Germanesque architecture and food, temperate rainforests, and wild forests teeming with life. Verdant and rich with wildlife and culture, it’s a superb place for an adventurous getaway.</p>
<p><img alt="General Carrera Lake" title="General Carrera Lake" height="428" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/31265940216_f0691d7a7b_z%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>Torres del Paine and Patagonia</strong></p>
<p>From the Lake District, there is only one place left to go: <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Destinations/Chilean-Patagonia">Patagonia</a></strong>. Home to <strong style="font-size: 14.768px;">Torres del Paine National Park, </strong><span style="font-size: 0.923em;">the eighth natural wonder of the world, </span><strong style="font-size: 0.923em;">Tierra del Fuego </strong><span style="font-size: 0.923em;">on the tip of the continent, and countless mountains, lakes, glaciers, and sprawling pampas, it’s the end of the line, the last pure wilderness on Earth. Drawing people from all over the world and all walks of life to its splendors and opportunities for adventure, it’s a truly once in a lifetime experience!</span></p>
<p><strong>All this, and so much more, is what Chile has to offer.</strong></p>
<p><img height="667" width="1000" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/fall%20trek%20torres%20del%20paine.jpg" alt="" /><br />
</p>
<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Hiking, biking, kayaking and more!</strong></span></p>
<p>So, you may be wondering, what kinds of outdoor activities can I do in Chile? Literally almost anything!</p>
<p><img alt="Family skiing in Portillo" title="Family skiing in Portillo" height="424" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/25688165283_0186ae13a2_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>Hiking and Trekking</strong></p>
<p>If you’re a hiking junkie and love nothing more than hitting the trails,<a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/Walking-Hiking"> Chile has you covered</a>! <strong>The Atacama Desert</strong> is crisscrossed by innumerable <strong>great hiking trails</strong>, taking trekkers through slot canyons, valleys, open plains, and along desert trails, passing by ancient petroglyphs and archeological sites, lakes, mountains, valleys, rivers, and wildlife, perfect for hardy trekkers looking for a challenge.</p>
<p>Further south, the forests of the Lakes District offer cool shade and fantastic views, offering trails that showcase the almost obscene biodiversity that Chile is blessed with. Glimpsing volcanoes through the trees while walking alongside roaring rivers, past turquoise lakes, and under ancient trees, it’s a walk through history and time.</p>
<p>But Chile’s hiking mecca is undoubtedly in Patagonia. Torres del Paine National Park is home to two of the most popular and frequented treks on the continent: <strong>the W Trek and the Paine Circuit</strong>. Visit the wonders of Torres del Paine, like the Grey Glacier, the base of the Torres, and French Valley, on the W, or go for the whole enchilada and circle the ENTIRE Paine Massif on the Paine (or “O”) trek. Or, become part of a small but elite group to hike the <strong>Dientes Trek</strong>, a stunning circuit located on Navarino Island in Tierra del Fuego, that has been lauded as one of the best treks in South America, but hardly anyone has heard of it!</p>
<p><img height="1281" width="1282" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/EXP-Walking_%26_Hiking.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>Cycling and more!</strong></p>
<p>But if you’re not so hot on hiking or want to experience Chile differently, fear not! There are<a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/Multi-activity"> activities here for every interest</a>!</p>
<p>Cycling is also hugely popular and available all over the country, where you can <strong>mountain bike</strong> through the slot canyons of the Atacama Desert, the forests of the Lake District, or the pampas of Torres del Paine. Or, if you prefer something more relaxed, go on a bike and wine tour of the vineyards in Chile’s central wine valleys, where you get to spend a day biking between vineyards for tours and tastings!</p>
<p>Chile also has some of the best<strong> whitewater rafting and kayaking</strong> in the world, such as the legendary rivers of the Lakes District, whose rapids are world-renowned for their ferocity and fun. Kayaking can also be found, from the Lake District down to the lakes of Torres del Paine, where a popular activity is renting a kayak and paddling close to the face of the mighty Grey Glacier!</p>
<p>Prefer winter sports? Visit during the winter months of June to August to <strong>go skiing at some of the best ski resorts in South America</strong>, such as Portillo and Valle Nevado near Santiago for downhill, or Corralco and Chillan in the Lakes District for its cross-country trails...plus the chance to ski on a volcano!</p>
<p>But there’s even more that you can experience here! There’s <strong>horseback riding, ziplining, canoeing, rafting</strong>...the list is endless! That’s why Chile is proud to offer the ultimate in adventure travel!</p>
<p><img alt="Kayaking close glaciers" title="Kayaking close glaciers" height="680" width="900" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Activity/Kayaking/kayak_glaciers.jpg" /></p>
<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>What is Adventure Travel?</strong></span></p>
<p>But what exactly is adventure travel?</p>
<p>Adventure travel is defined as “<strong>a type of tourism involving travel to remote or exotic locations in order to take part in physically challenging outdoor activities</strong>.”</p>
<p>So, if you love traveling all over the world to unknown locales full of wonder, and availing yourself of outdoor sports that both challenge and thrill you as a way to experience the landscapes, culture, and activities that that place has to offer, then you’re an adventure traveler, and we bet you’d love Chile!</p>
<p><img alt="Day 7 Paine Circuit" height="400" width="1000" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/dia7.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>Discover South America’s best adventure travel destination for yourself!</strong></p>
<p>Talk to our expert sales staff to find the perfect Chilean adventure for you!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Awards-Recognition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Awards &amp; Recognition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/en/News/Patagonia-Tours" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Patagonia Tours</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Insider-Tips" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Insider Tips</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/en/News/Infographics" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Infographics</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/40xTJw70jRA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mon, 11 Sep 2017 15:31:42 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2862 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Chile-Wins-Best-Adventure-Travel-Destination-3rd-Year-Row5 Boozy Ways To Celebrate Chilean Wine Day on September 4thhttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/6euh6bMWppQ/5-Boozy-Ways-Celebrate-Chilean-Wine-Day-September-4th
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Let’s raise a glass of Chilean wine to Chilean wine!</p>
<p>On September 4th, <strong>National Chilean Wine Day</strong>, Chileans come together to celebrate a key part of their national character and gastronomy: wine! First brought over as vines by conquistadors in the 1500s to grow and produce wine for religious ceremonies, following a request sent to King Carlos V of Spain by Pedro de Valdivia asking for “vines and wines to evangelise Chile”, Chilean wine has grown into a magnum opus, an icon of Chilean identity the world over.</p>
<p>Renowned for its luscious reds and crisp whites, and famous for classic varietals such as Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc, but also providing a haven for lesser-known grapes like Carmenere, Chilean terroir is ideal for wine, with the perfect combination of weather, soil, and climate to produce some of the finest wines in the New World.</p>
<p>Of course, we hope you can be here in Chile to celebrate this national occasion with us, but no matter where you are, there are ways to revel in this bacchanalia! So here’s five ways to make Dionysus and Chileans proud on National Chilean Wine Day, either here or at home!</p>
<p><img height="769" width="1152" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Food%26Wine.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>1. Go on a wine tour</strong> - If you happen to be visiting Chile during our National Wine Day and will be based in Santiago, a must-do to mark the occasion is to head to the vineyards outside the capital for<a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Chilean-Premium-Wine-Tasting-Day-Tour?sku=WIN004P"> wine tours and tastings</a>! Santiago is only a short drive from several of Chile’s best wine-growing valleys: Maipo, Colchagua, and Casablanca. Full of blue skies and tree-covered hills rolling up out of a patchwork valley floor of immaculate vineyards, it’s an enchanting sight, ideal for a relaxing day of wine-related festivities. You can visit the famous <strong>Concha y Toro vineyard</strong> for one of their <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Concha-Toro-Wine-Tour-Half-Day?sku=WIN002">popular day tours</a>, or <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Chilean-Bike-and-Wine-Day-Trip?sku=WIN005">rent a bike and go cycling</a> along the dirt roads that connect the vineyards to visit several vineyards for tastings and tours, with lunch included! Many vineyards also offer free tastings and special events on this day, so if there’s a specific vineyard you want to visit, such as Concha y Toro, Emiliana, or Santa Rita, check their website to see if they have anything special planned! But either way, spending the day wandering through leafy vineyards, learning about the history and processes of creating Chile’s refreshing wines, and tasting the results for yourself is a great way to celebrate 500 years of history!</p>
<p><img alt="Bike and wine tour" title="Bike and wine tour" height="480" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/16380442101_67e6ced3a0_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>2. Make a batch of one of Chile’s famous wine-based drinks</strong> - While popping open a bottle is a fine way to celebrate, did you know that Chile has many wine-based drinks and cocktails that are easy to whip up and enjoy, no matter the weather? For a refreshingly sweet summer sipper to cool down with on hot days, try out <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Celebrate-Melon-con-Vino-Day-January-15">Melon Con Vino</a>, a hollowed out honeydew melon filled with chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc and powdered sugar. Pass the melon around for everyone to take a sip, and good summertime memories are guaranteed! Another fruity summer libation for people who prefer red wine is borgona, a fruit cocktail of chilled red wine, strawberries or peaches, and sugar. Borgona is especially popular at fondas for Fiestas Patrias, the nationwide celebrations held in honor of Chilean independence from Spain. For something to warm you from the inside during the winter, <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Celebrate-Mulled-Wine-Day-Chilean-Navegado">navegado</a> is Chile’s succulent version of mulled wine, consisting of warmed red wine like Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon, heated with juicy sliced oranges and flavored with spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves.</p>
<p><img alt="Navegado. Pic - Walobuby.com" title="Navegado. Pic - Walobuby.com" height="800" width="800" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/vinonavegadobig.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>3. Make a wine flight</strong> - Chile grows and produces such a wide range of varietals, it’s hard to know where to start when introducing yourself to the world of Chilean wine. But one great way to kick off your Chile wine education is by preparing a wine flight to compare and contrast the subtle differences between different varietals and vintages. There are several ways you can do your own wine flight; you can either do your own research online, using resources such as Wines of Chile, or head to your local wine store for recommendations. You know your tastes best, so ask the sales assistant for wine recommendations based on what kind of wine you generally like, such as red or white, or go in a different direction and try something new! A good place to start for really getting to know Chilean wine is with Carmenere, Chile’s flagship wine. Similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere was thought to have died out in its native France after the phylloxera plague of the mid 1800s, but was rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s, where it had been mistaken as Merlot. Start by selecting several bottles of Carmenere, each from a different region of Chile and a different year (so, for example, one bottle from the Maipo Valley, another from the Colchagua Valley, each of either the same year or with a few years difference, although please note that Carmenere is a wine best drunk young). During the tasting, pay attention to the difference in the bouquet of smells from each vintage, the contrasting tastes from different areas or years. This can be done with any number of Chilean vintages, allowing you to travel through the wine regions of Chile and become a local expert “somm” with each sip!</p>
<p><img alt="wine tasting" title="wine tasting" height="426" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/15024153483_a3b4326cfb_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>4. Treat yourself to a boozy romantic getaway in the wine valleys</strong> - There is nothing more relaxing and decadent than spending several days of wine-induced bliss with your significant other in a luxury hotel amongst Chile’s peaceful vineyards, enjoying fine wine, food, and leisure activities far away from the problems of the real world. Hide away in the secluded and tranquil Colchagua Valley, one of Chile’s premier wine-producing locales, for <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/3-Days-Colchagua-Valley-Wine-Escape?sku=WIN006DL">three perfect days of wine, food, and fun</a>. Or, if you crave a little adventure and thrills, pair your <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/11-Days-Ski-Wine-Winter-Escape?sku=SKI003DH">wine getaway with a ski trip</a>! The wine valleys are just a short drive from the cosmopolitan streets of Santiago, and just an hour or so beyond those are the epic slopes of the Andes, riddled with pitch-perfect runs that attract skiers from all over the world! Spend several days hitting the slopes, followed by downtime to relax and rest at a luxury hotel in the wine valleys for the perfect winter vacation.</p>
<p>
<img alt="Chilean vineyards" title="Chilean vineyards" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/15458330627_f4eb3afeb4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></p>
<p><strong>5. Prepare an authentic Chilean meal paired with Chilean wine</strong> - Everyone knows that good wine is meant to be paired with good food, and Chilean gastronomy is no exception. With wine having been produced here since the mid 1800s, that’s a long history of working with food and flavor to find what tastes good together. Empanadas, humitas, pastel de choclo, fresh seafood; there’s so many different areas of Chilean cuisine to explore. With so much biodiversity, Chile is blessed with incredibly fresh and accessible ingredients, which can be found in abundance at markets all over the country, such as the famous Mercado Central in Santiago. Here, you can find everything you need to make a scrumptious Chilean meal, paired with local aperitifs such as pisco sours and wines to complement the meal. Best of all, with our <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Chilean-Culinary-Experience-Day-Tour?sku=SCL001P">Culinary Tours</a>, you get to prepare the meal with the help of a local chef! But, if you’re on your own, we recommend a chilled white wine to go with Chile’s fresh fish, such as congrio or hake, or to go with red wine, fire up the grill for a traditional Chilean asado, with plenty of hearty meats and luscious red to wash it all down!</p>
<p><img alt="Concha y Toro Wine tour" title="Concha y Toro Wine tour" height="680" width="900" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Wine%20Valley/concha_y_toro_toast_guests.jpg" /></p>
<p>So salud to Chilean wine!</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/6euh6bMWppQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 29 Aug 2017 19:44:36 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2861 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/5-Boozy-Ways-Celebrate-Chilean-Wine-Day-September-4thOur 6 Favorite Kid-Friendly Destinations and Programs in Chilehttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/tw8APQIkw9o/Our-6-Favorite-Kid-Friendly-Destinations-and-Programs-Chile
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>If a trip to Chile is high on your list for a family vacation, but you’re a tad unsure if the little ones will be on board, fear not! With its mountains, ocean, deserts, forests, and cities, there can be found all over Chile destinations that appeal to kids young and old, and many of our programs are designed or can be customized to offer something for everyone in the family. Whether your kid is a budding astronomer, a wildlife enthusiast, or an outdoor adventure junky who just can’t wait to hop on their bike or hit the trails, we’ve got you covered! Here’s our top picks for our programs and destinations for family-friendly, kid-approved adventures!</p>
<p><img height="768" width="1152" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/WHO-Family.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>1. Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve</strong>: Tucked away within the steaming temperate rainforests of Chile’s stunning Lakes District, the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is an outdoor explorer’s dream. With prehistoric trees, pristine lakes and rivers, volcanoes trailing smoke across the blue sky, and a wealth of wildlife that can be glimpsed while out hiking, it’s like you’ve traveled back in time to before humans walked the Earth. Our <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Huilo-Huilo-Rainforest-Multi-Sport-Adventure?sku=SUR015DH">4 Day Huilo Huilo Rainforest Multi-Sport Adventure</a></strong> takes families white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining throughout this incredible wilderness for an unforgettable adventure. Kids love the ziplining, which is one of the longest lines in South America, and the chance to scream and shout while tackling the white water rapids of the Fuy River. Best of all, at the end of the day, the family can kick back and relax in local hot springs, while Mom and Dad can unwind with a cold one from the Petermann Brewery. So, if you’re the kind of family who enjoys heading out into the wilderness on the weekends for some thrills and spills, this is the trip for you!</p>
<p><img alt="Osorno volcano from Petrohue waterfall" title="Osorno volcano from Petrohue waterfall" height="680" width="900" style="font-size: 14.768px; width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Lake%20District/osorno_volcano_petrohue_waterfall.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>2. Lakes District</strong>: While the Huilo Huilo is a definite highlight of the area, Chile’s Lakes District has endless opportunities for adventures and fun. Our Chile <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Chilean-Lake-District-4-Day-Adventure?sku=SUR022">Lake District 4 Day Adventure</a></strong> or <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Chilean-Lake-District-5-Day-Premium-Tour?sku=SUR020P">5 Day Premium Adventure</a></strong> are based in the gorgeous Germanic town of Puerto Varas, an enclave of German-inspired architecture and food located on beautiful Llanquihue Lake, with the majestic Osorno Volcano dominating the skyline and wowing the little ones. Days are spent exploring the nearby parks Alerce Andino and Vicente Perez Rosales, home of the spectacular Todos Los Santos Lake. Activities include biking alongside Llanquihue Lake, rafting on the Petrohue River, kayaking, hiking, and even fly-fishing! The rest of the time is spent relaxing and getting to know the culture of the region, as well as tucking into the area’s delicious German-inflected cuisine. Best of all, parents, the area is famous for its craft breweries, so after a long day of thrills with the kids, you two can chill with a cold one in the evening! For families looking to balance cultural experience with outdoor adventures and sports, either of these programs is perfect.</p>
<p><img alt="Alerce Andino National Park" title="Alerce Andino National Park" height="680" width="900" style="font-size: 14.768px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Lake%20District/alerce_andino_national_park.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>3. <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Destinations/Atacama-Desert">Atacama Desert</a></strong>: Is this Earth or Mars? The surreal, otherworldly rock formations, hazy desertscapes, resilient wildlife, and ghost towns of the driest desert in the world do indeed make visitors feel out of this world. Our many Atacama programs have activities to suit all ages and interests. Want to go hiking? All of our Atacama programs, such as the <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Atacama-Desert-4-Day-Explorer?sku=NOR022">4 Day Explorer</a></strong>, include hikes in the Atacama’s famous Valle de la Luna, with amazing views and weird rock formations bound to intrigue the little ones. Want a bit more adventure and thrills?<strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Epic-Atacama-Multi-Sport-Adventure?sku=NOR027D"> Epic Atacama Multisport</a></strong> has you covered, with horseback riding, cycling, and more! Is your kid interested in archeology and history? The <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Atacama-Hiking-Cultural-Journey?sku=NOR023"><strong>Atacama Hiking - Cultural Journey</strong></a> takes you deep into the desert to discover ancient villages and archaeological sites that offer glimpses into the lives of the people who used to call this harsh landscape home. There’s much more in store as well, such as trips to the watch the Tatio Geysers erupt, visiting high-altitude lakes frequented by flamingos, and even the chance for a <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Atacama-Sunrise-Ballooning-Half-Day-Extension?sku=NOR054">hot air balloon ride</a> over the desert at sunrise! The opportunities are endless.</p>
<p>Plus, if you have a little stargazer in your family, then the Atacama is not to be missed. Its location, climate, and lack of large cities give it some of the clearest night skies anywhere on Earth. The Milky Way can clearly be seen with the naked eye, planets and other astronomical bodies studied with telescopes, constellations outlined, meteor showers ‘wowed’ at...maybe you’ll even glimpse a satellite or the International Space Station flying by overhead. Our <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Atacama-Desert-Astronomical-Dinner-Extension?sku=NOR052">Atacama Desert Astronomical Dinner extension</a></strong>, which can be added onto any Atacama program, is perfect for those who watch the skies, as guests can enjoy a delicious dinner out in the desert while a local astronomy tour guide shows you the wonders of the night sky.</p>
<p><img alt="Star gazing Atacama" title="Star gazing Atacama" height="436" width="640" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/15724679281_0c6a21a1b4_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>4. Wildlife Safari at EcoCamp Patagonia, Torres del Paine</strong>: Does your kid LOVE nature documentaries? Get wild about wildlife? Spend hours pouring over animal books and beg to go to the zoo? Do them one better, and take them to Torres del Paine to see the local wildlife! Nestled in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, EcoCamp Patagonia is not just any ordinary hotel - it’s made out of geodesic domes, and eco-friendly ones at that! If staying in a dome doesn’t sound like the coolest thing ever, we don’t know what is! What we do know is that kids LOVE EcoCamp! Thrilled by our unique hotel rooms, the location, and the opportunity to see wildlife on site, it’s a kid paradise. But it’s what takes place out in the park that really makes an impression. Our unique <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/EcoCamp-Patagonia-Wildlife-Safari?sku=PATSD5PDH">Wildlife Safari program</a> takes guests on day trips around the park, with activities ranging from hikes to nature walks to boating, all with different levels of difficulty. These day trips are perfect for families with kids, as the excursions are of a manageable length and the difficulty levels are suitable for children. Plus, they show off parts of the park that kids will love to see, such as the massive front wall of the immense Grey Glacier (which is sure to get some ‘wow! Cool! Look at that!’ from open-mouthed onlookers), or learning about the local flora and fauna on nature walks that get you up close and personal with the park’s residents, like spindly-legged guanacos or ostrich-esque Darwin’s Rheas.</p>
<p><img height="1000" width="923" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/wildlife_3.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>5. Penguin Watching in Tierra del Fuego</strong>: This one is a guaranteed winner with the kiddos, because who doesn’t love penguins!? Beaches and islands throughout Chilean Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego are covered in these cuddly, waddling critters, and getting to see them in person is a sheer delight for kids and adults alike. With our <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Full-Day-King-Penguin-Viewing-Excursion?sku=PAT014">Full Day King Penguin Viewing</a></strong> excursion, you’ll visit the King Penguin Park in Tierra del Fuego, where the only colony of king penguins - the stars of March of the Penguins - in South America can be found. But did you know that there’s a penguin colony here where you can actually WALK around amongst the penguins? Our <strong><a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Magellan-Strait-Penguin-Adventure-Half-Day-Trip?sku=PAT012">Half Day Magellan Strait Penguin Adventure</a></strong> takes you to Isla Magdalena to meet the locals - a colony of 150,000 Magellanic penguins. Perfect for close observation and great photo opps, this tour also offers the chance to see dolphins, sea lions, and maybe even whales! These programs are a great extension for EcoCamp programs, as well.</p>
<p><img alt="penguins in chile" title="penguins in chile" height="500" width="800" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/penguins%20in%20chile.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>6. <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/6-Day-Ultimate-Northern-Argentina-Adventure?sku=NOR%20033">Salta, Argentina</a></strong>: Is the next Indiana Jones in your family, excavating ancient artifacts from under the kitchen sink and hiking through the jungles and high plains of the back yard in search of adventure? A trip to Salta in Argentina’s northern provinces has both you and your little explorer covered! Located in the northwestern reaches of Argentina, near the Atacama desert, Salta is a splendid colonial city, a place trapped in time with stunning architecture and a fascinating mix of indigenous and Spanish culture. With walking tours through the city center, an aerial cable car ride to take in the view (sure to elicit ‘ohhhhs’ and ‘ahhhhs’ from the tiny peanut gallery) visits to museums such as the famous MAAM, which houses Incan artifacts and is the home of three mummified Incan children that are more than 500 years old, hikes through high-mountain canyons full of colorful strata layers, and wine tastings of the region’s refreshing Torrontes wines (for the adults only, of course!), Salta is easily one of Argentina’s best up-and-coming family destinations.</p>
<p><img alt="Salta Argentina" title="Salta Argentina" height="428" width="640" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/29696167310_b2c2541dbd_z_0.jpg" /></p>
<p>Curious about one of the above programs, or want to find out what other programs we have are good for the entire family? Talk to our sales team<a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Contact-us"> here!</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Patagonia-Tours" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Patagonia Tours</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/en/News/Insider-Tips" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Insider Tips</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=tw8APQIkw9o:kO45-Zz5mr8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=tw8APQIkw9o:kO45-Zz5mr8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/tw8APQIkw9o" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:39:42 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2860 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Our-6-Favorite-Kid-Friendly-Destinations-and-Programs-ChileEcoCamp Patagonia Voted 32nd Best Hotel in the Worldhttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/tlDhcXgtHl8/EcoCamp-Patagonia-Voted-32nd-Best-Hotel-World
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We are thrilled to announce that EcoCamp Patagonia was selected as the<a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/hotels-top-100-overall#ecocamp-patagonia"> 32nd Best Hotel in the World</a> and the <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/resort-hotels-in-south-america">2nd Best Hotel in South America</a> in <em>Travel + Leisure's </em>prestigious World's Best Awards. The annual survey compiles votes from over 300,000 T+L readers to identify the best in the travel and tourism industry, and we are so proud and honored that EcoCamp has received this distinction. </p>
<p><img title="EcoCamp Reception Dome" height="560" width="930" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/ecocamp%20reception%20dome.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Located in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, EcoCamp Patagonia was founded in 2001 by Yerko Ivelic and Javier Lopez, two Chilean engineers and the founders of Cascada Expediciones. With the goal of creating a unique, sustainable accommodation option in remote Torres del Paine, they took inspiration from the local indigenous Kaweskar tribe and their “leave no trace” lifestyles and houses, crafting state-of-the-art geodesic domes that run of solar and hydraulic energy, are fully eco-friendly, and allow guests an immersion with their surroundings that other hotels lack. It was the first hotel of its kind in the world.</p>
<p>Since then, EcoCamp has served as an inspiration and trailblazer in ecotourism, inspiring the creation of eight other similar hotels around the world, and spurring interest in sustainability and ecotourism in the region. Guests have come from all over the world to partake of the EcoCamp experience, and their appreciation and support of our work and goals is evident in this award.</p>
<p>We are thankful and humbled by the honor. We thank our guests, our industry partners, and our staff for their dedication and support, and will continue to serve our guests and work towards a more sustainable future. </p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Awards-Recognition" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Awards &amp; Recognition</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/en/News/Press-Releases" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Press Releases</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=tlDhcXgtHl8:dNcqNbsBQ0o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=tlDhcXgtHl8:dNcqNbsBQ0o:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/tlDhcXgtHl8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:25:24 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2859 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/EcoCamp-Patagonia-Voted-32nd-Best-Hotel-WorldFly Over The Atacama Desert In A Hot Air Balloon with Cascada's Keila Jimenezhttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/cVLWABSGXOw/Fly-Over-Atacama-Desert-Hot-Air-Balloon-Cascadas-Keila-Jimenez
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>At Cascada, we believe in making sure that the programs we provide are the best, which means trying them out for ourselves! For this adventure, our USA Account Executive, Keila Jimenez, shares her experience flying over the Atacama Desert at sunrise with our "<a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/Tour/Atacama-Sunrise-Ballooning-Half-Day-Extension?sku=NOR054">Atacama Sunrise Ballooning</a>" extension program, available as an add-on for Atacama programs. </p>
<p>----</p>
<p>I call this adventure "Floating over the Atacama", which is the driest desert in the world!</p>
<p>On April 16th, the adventure began when the transfer van for Balloons over Atacama picked me up at 7:10 AM from my hotel. I must say, I was a bit nervous. Our destination, Ayllú de Tulor, is one of the usual places used for hot air balloon takeoffs and landings. Cary Crawley, our flight pilot and host, was waiting for us at the site. Next to him, the crew, all of them local Atacameños, were in charge of putting together the breakfast, as well as inflating the balloon.</p>
<p>First, they offered us a rich breakfast, with "medialunas" (croissants) fresh from the oven, and coffee. While we ate, Cary gave us the safety talk and explained how the whole activity would work. Then, everyone began to unfold the fabric of the balloon to proceed with inflating the balloon, which was a show not to be missed! I took a croissant and I went with my camera to capture the roughly 15 minutes "balloon inflation". This part was very exciting, witnessing how this great fabric would become our ship.</p>
<p>Once this imposing red balloon was ready in front of us, it was time to take off!!!</p>
<p><img alt="keila balloons over atacama 3" title="keila balloons over atacama 3" height="1500" width="2000" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/C813E246-6CE8-42F2-835D-B6545C54E727.JPG" /></p>
<p>The sun had just appeared on the mountain range when the pilot invited us to climb into the basket, following what was learned in the safety talk. There were 14 of us, and one by one, we all entered the basket and prepared our cameras... and suddenly, without realizing it, we were floating over the desert at a height of about 400 meters ... which is a lot for a person who suffers from vertigo like me! We all watched in silence, marveling at this landscape that we rarely enjoy from above.</p>
<p>From the sky, it was possible to see the beautiful desert landscape below us, full of colors that changed as the sun rose. The flight was smooth and very relaxing; it gave one the feeling of floating and I easily forgot my fear of heights! During the 50 minutes that the flight lasted, the pilot explained details about the elevation, wind, direction of the globe, etc. He also acted a tourist guide, showing us the town, the mountain range of the Andes, volcanoes, and the beautiful Salar (salt flats)!!</p>
<p><img alt="Keila balloons over atacama" title="Keila balloons over atacama" height="1500" width="2000" style="font-size: 14.768px; width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/1F1CB03A-C747-409C-84D1-B6EC8E102A09.JPG" /></p>
<p>When we reached a height of about 700 meters and we have all taken thousands of photos, the pilot started the descent near Coyo, another Ayllu near the Valley of the Moon. The landing is far the most QUIET experience I could have imagined, the pilot was so delicate that it was alsmot impossible to believe. Here, we found the crew with champagne and juices to toast and finish off this great experience! The most beautiful thing is that, at the end, the pilot gives you a Certificate of Flight with your name and your signature, to help you rememeber this memorable moment! Cute, right?</p>
<p><img alt="keila balloons over atacama 2 " title="keila balloons over atacama 2 " height="1500" width="2000" style="font-size: 14.768px; width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/782899B6-CFC5-48E3-8F60-780AB49096E1.JPG" /></p>
<p>Finally on land, I feel like doing it again a thousand times!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Trip-Diaries" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Trip Diaries</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=cVLWABSGXOw:jJlwy7sPnfI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=cVLWABSGXOw:jJlwy7sPnfI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/cVLWABSGXOw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mon, 24 Jul 2017 16:51:11 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2850 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Fly-Over-Atacama-Desert-Hot-Air-Balloon-Cascadas-Keila-JimenezDiscover the Incredible Legend of the Laguna del Inca at Ski Portillohttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/-xR9WjAe1cA/Discover-Incredible-Legend-Laguna-del-Inca-Ski-Portillo
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We all love a good love story. Particularly ones about deep, eternal love that spans centuries, that even death itself couldn’t extinguish.</p>
<p>The site of such a tale can be found just a short drive from Chile’s capital city of Santiago.</p>
<p><img alt="11 Day Ski and Wine Winter Escape, Cascada Expediciones" title="11 Day Ski and Wine Winter Escape, Cascada Expediciones" height="683" width="1024" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.patagonia.travel/sites/default/files/media/Press/26018042420_487703d615_b.jpg" /></p>
<p>Nestled in the alpine reaches of the Andes, the Portillo ski resort retains a well-deserved reputation as being one of the best ski resorts in the country and even the world. It was the first ski resort founded in South America, and to this day, skiers from all over the world head to this valley to carve their way down the slopes and luxuriate in the grandeur of the high Andes.</p>
<p>But one of the things that makes the resort a prized retreat is not only the sublime opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, but its location. Laying directly in front of the resort and flanked by mighty peaks is a stunning mountain lake of shimmery aquamarine. The lake, known as “Laguna del Inca” or “Lake of the Incas,” is a breathtaking sight in winter or summer - in summer, set against the bare slopes that race right down to the water’s edge, and in winter, surrounded by snow and ice. Day and night, the sheer surface holds a pristine mirror to the majestic peaks of the Andes.</p>
<p>But the lake is more than a pretty feature of the landscape. It hides an ancient Incan legend.</p>
<p>Long before the Spanish arrived and conquered Chile, back before the lake was the brilliant blue we see today, the valley was home to an Incan village. Since the Incans were known as the “children of the sun,” the high mountains were perfect for rituals and traditions honoring their heritage.</p>
<p>A prince and brave warrior named Illi Yupanqui lived in the valley, and as he was a prince, he was also known as the “son of the Sun.” A young, eligible man, he was in need of a wife.</p>
<p>He found exactly who he was looking for in Kora-Illé, a gorgeous princess with emerald eyes full of vibrant color and life. The two fell in love and believed themselves to be soul mates.</p>
<p>They were engaged to be married, and it was decided that the wedding ceremony would take place at the summit of one of the mountains surrounding the lake. The wedding party dutifully made the long trek to the heights, where the princess, bedecked with her wedding finery, stood ready.</p>
<p>In keeping with tradition, the princess needed to descend a steep slope with her entourage behind her. The path was treacherous, a narrow trail covered in loose, slippery stones precipitously routed on the edge of the mountain just above the void of the valley. But the princess forged ahead, ready to marry her prince.</p>
<p>Illi Yupanqui waited.</p>
<p>Suddenly, shouts rang out, echoing through the valley.</p>
<p>When Illi Yupanqui ran to discover the source of the noise, he saw to his horror that his bride-to-be had fallen from the path. Although he raced down the mountain to her side, it was too late.</p>
<p>Distraught over her sudden death, the Prince decreed that she would be laid to rest in the only place that matched her beauty: the lake on the valley floor.</p>
<p>Covered in a white sheet, Kora-Illé was confined to the depths of the lake. As she sank, the color of the water magically changed to match the crystalline blue of her eyes.</p>
<p>A different retelling of the story also has it that the princess fell during a royal hunt known as a “nascu.”</p>
<p>But whichever version you choose to believe, the prince forever mourned his lost love...even to this day.</p>
<p>On cold, full moon winter nights, when huddling by the fire with a hot beverage cradled in your hands after a day of leisure or sport...there! Can you hear it? Is that the wind howling throughout the valley? The gentle whisper of snow blowing off the high crags and peaks? Or could it possibly be the haunting wails of Illi Yupanqui, continuing to cry for the princess with the blue eyes, who rests for eternity at the bottom of the lake out there in the darkness? You decide.</p>
<p>Visit Ski Portillo during the <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/Snow-Adventures">summer skiing season</a> and discover for yourself the mystery of the Laguna del Inca.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Chilean-Hometown-Glory" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Chilean Hometown Glory</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=-xR9WjAe1cA:7mT5cmEZMXQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feed.cascada.travel/~ff/media/news?a=-xR9WjAe1cA:7mT5cmEZMXQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/media/news?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/-xR9WjAe1cA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 29 Jun 2017 19:19:52 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2848 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Discover-Incredible-Legend-Laguna-del-Inca-Ski-Portillo7 Types of Chilean Bread You Need to Tryhttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/Jl4E9hqElkM/7-Types-Chilean-Bread-You-Need-Try
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>When visiting Chile, if you feel like you’re seeing<em> panaderias</em> (bakeries) on almost every block and are wondering if your mind is playing tricks on you, it’s not. Chileans are the second biggest bread consumers in the world, after the Germans, with each person putting away an average of anywhere between 86 and 95 kilograms of bread a year.</p>
<p>While that may seem like a lot, once you try Chilean bread for yourself, it’s easy to see why bread is Chile’s premier dietary staple: it’s delicious! Almost everyday of the year, <em>panaderias</em> around the country churn out batch after steaming batch of fragrant, warm bread of many varieties that quickly disappear into to-go bags as customers whisk them off home before the bread gets cold for evening <em>once</em> (teatime). Many people eat bread with most meals. To truly understand the national character, a trip to the local neighborhood <em>panaderia</em> to try out the different varieties is essential.</p>
<p>To start your Chilean bread education, here’s seven of Chile’s favorite breads that you are likely to encounter at a meal spread, and which you should try! Tell us your favorite Chilean bread in the comments below.</p>
<p>
<img height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/30263460303_8fbee6d55b_z%20%281%29.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>1. Marraqueta </strong>- The marraqueta is Chile’s version of a French baguette; not necessarily in shape or texture, but in that it is a cultural signifier, a symbol of Chilean gastronomy around the world, an instantly recognizable national icon. Also known as <em>pan batido</em> and <em>pan frances</em>, the marraqueta is a single loaf of bread that’s halved into four smaller rolls, but still connected by a thin base layer of bread that keeps the separate rolls attached but makes it easy to break off the rolls for individual enjoyment. With a crunchy crust and light, fluffy filling that’s produced by baking the rolls with a pan of water in the oven to create steam, marraquetas are popular for making sandwiches and as a bun for completos and choripan. It’s thought that the marraqueta first came to Chilean shores thanks to a pair of French brothers going by the name Marraquete, who arrived in the early 19th century. The French connection is also found in the use of similar ingredients for marraquetas and many French breads, which are made using only flour, water, yeast, and salt.</p>
<p><img height="365" width="649" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/marraquetasbig.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>2. Hallulla</strong> - Probably the second most popular bread after marraquetas, the hallulla is a circular, flat roll with a starchy filling. Used most commonly for making Chile’s hearty sandwiches or toast topped with <em>pebre</em>, a Chilean “pico de gallo”, the different flavor and texture is produced by adding vegetable shortening or butter to the mix. Unlike the marraqueta, the hallulla hails from the Middle East, where it was eaten around Easter, and it made the journey to the New World with the Spanish.</p>
<p><img alt="hallulla - image by The Picta" title="hallulla - image by The Picta" height="480" width="480" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/hallulla.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>3. Pan Amasado</strong> - Although Chileans are bonafide bread lovers, pan amasado holds a special place in their hearts, not only because of its flavor and oven-warmed heat, but also because it can easily be made at home, unlike other breads. This is why you can frequently find street vendors hawking “pan amasado!” from carts with rounded clay ovens on top that bake the bread and keep it warm right there on the street. Literally translated to “kneaded bread”, pan amasado has a flaky crust and a soft, doughy filling, and is best enjoyed right after it’s been baked when it’s still piping hot from the oven. With a circular, disc-like shape similar to sopaipillas or hallulla, it can be eaten with <em>pebre</em>, butter, or even something sweet like <em>manjar</em>, Chile’s answer to dulce de leche.</p>
<p><img alt="Pan amasado - Cuchareando" title="Pan amasado - Cuchareando" height="300" width="500" style="width: 900px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/RECETA%20PAN%20AMASADO_1_0.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>4. Coliza</strong> - Flat and square, the coliza is similar to the hallulla in taste and appearance: a chewy, heavy bread, but with a flakier crust and easier to crack and break apart to eat in pieces. Not much is known about how the coliza originated or came to Chile, but it’s especially tasty when toasted with butter or jam. Lots of bakers also like to have with the coliza by adding embellishments and decorations to the flat-top crust, tracing designs and images, or using rolls or cut-outs of dough to illustrate scenes or pictures.</p>
<p>
<img alt="coliza" title="coliza" height="433" width="400" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/coliza.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>5. Bocado de dama</strong> - These crispy rolls are arguably the prettiest type of bread one can buy at <em>panaderias</em> in Chile! The roll of fresh dough is wound into a circle which gives the bread the appearance of a cinnamon roll! Also known as <em>pan macarena</em>, the bocado de dama is a bit of a mystery when it comes to its origins and how it arrived in Chile. Despite this, it is believed by some to Chile’s most culturally significant bread, even more so than marraquetas, because of the complexity of layering the dough to create the rippling, spiral effect, the addition of sugar and other ingredients, how each individual loaf is cut from a giant “roll” of layered dough before baking (also similar to how cinnamon rolls are made), and also because of its privileged place in Chilean high society cuisine prior to marraquetas taking over. Translating to “mouthful of lady” or “bite of lady,” its name originates from how high society ladies in Chile’s past favored this bread for once because it was easily breakable into tiny pieces that could be delicately eaten in a ladylike fashion. Less popular now than they were in the past, bocado de dama is baked less frequently at <em>panaderias</em>, but it still a lovely sight and a great bread for snacking on!<br />
<img alt="bocado de dama" title="bocado de dama" height="428" width="500" style="width: 900px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/bocado%20de%20dama.JPG" /></p>
<p><strong>6. Dobladita</strong> - If you like your bread crunchy and crispy, then the dobladita is the Chilean bread for you! A flat slab of dough is folded twice to form a triangle, which is then coated in melted butter and baked to perfection! Although not ideal for sandwiches, dobladitas are great for snacking on at once, and to have with condiments like <em>pebre</em>, butter, or jam. The type of dough and style of making these is similar to that used to made empanadas, sans the filling.</p>
<p>
<img alt="Dobladitas - Guioteca.com" title="Dobladitas - Guioteca.com" height="500" width="750" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/Dobladitas.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>7. Sopaipilla</strong> - For readers of our blog, the sopaipilla should a familiar and yummy sight! For those not in the know, the Chilean sopaipilla is a popular street food, a tiny, flat disk made from flour and softened Andean pumpkin. Fried in hot oil, it’s a handy snack on the go or for once, and can be topped with any number of condiments, from ketchup and mustard to hot sauce and <em>pebre</em>. Sopaipillas are a staple of Hispanic cuisine, and they vary depending on the country or region. For example, in New Mexico and other parts of the States with strong Hispanic influence, sopaipillas are a sweet bread that puffs up like a pillow and is best eaten with honey or sugar, whereas in other South American countries, sopaipillas tend more toward the savory. However, Chile’s sweet tooth will not be denied, and so Chileans have their own winter-time version of sopaipillas known as sopaipillas pasadas, where old sopaipillas are drenched in syrup and then eaten like pancakes.</p>
<p><img alt="sopaipillas " title="sopaipillas " height="427" width="640" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/30863060116_a356777b37_z.jpg" /></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Foody-Heaven" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Foody Heaven</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/Jl4E9hqElkM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 29 Jun 2017 17:07:09 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2847 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/7-Types-Chilean-Bread-You-Need-Try12 Pictures of Yoga at EcoCamp That Will Make You Want to "Namaste" With Ushttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/WYtu-END6mI/12-Pictures-Yoga-EcoCamp-Will-Make-You-Want-Namaste-Us
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Yoga is good for the mind and body. So is being outdoors. Bring the two together, and it's a harmonious partnership.</p>
<p>At EcoCamp Patagonia, we believe strongly in the physical and mental powers of this ancient art, and think it is an immenseful beneficial experience to practice it in nature, removed from the pressures of the real world. Cut off from the world, with no Wi-Fi and isolated in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, it's the perfect place for yoga. Perched at the edge of the EcoCamp site, with an expansive, calming view of the surrounding grasslands, the spacious, cozy Yoga Dome is the ideal place to start the day, stretching your body and mind to prepare for the day's adventures ahead. With our yoga teacher guiding you through classic poses and helping you relax, meditate, and wake up, with the mighty Torres rising in the background and the rising sun painting the landscape before you, it refreshs you and allows you to tackle the day with a clear head and heart, and energized body.</p>
<p>In honor of International Yoga Day, we hope these twelve pictures of our Yoga Dome and its practioners will inspire you to roll out your yoga mat and strike a pose, or, maybe even, come for a "namaste" with us to see why practicing yoga in Patagonia is such a special experience.</p>
<p>1. Our yoga dome lights up the night.</p>
<p><img alt="yoga-private-class_" title="yoga-private-class_" height="500" width="800" style="width: 930px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/yoga-private-class_1_0.jpg" /></p>
<p>2. Pulling bow pose with a view.</p>
<p><img alt="yoga in torres del paine" title="yoga in torres del paine" height="683" width="1024" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/yoga%20in%20torres%20del%20paine.jpg" /></p>
<p>3. A calming moment of padmasana. </p>
<p><img alt="Meditating in yoga dome" title="Meditating in yoga dome" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/27828234466_ea4b5c525d_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>4. Stretching to prep for a day on the trails. </p>
<p><img alt="yoga dome" title="yoga dome" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/27250602514_1c4033fecd_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>5. Balance is key. </p>
<p><img alt="yoga" title="yoga" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/16032743736_accda8bbb0_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>6. Warrior pose. </p>
<p><img alt="warrior pose" title="warrior pose" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/23875264994_90d24af9ff_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>7. The walkway to the new Yoga Dome. </p>
<p><img alt="yoga dome exterior" title="yoga dome exterior" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/26882983112_e2fb0d4fc4_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>8. Can you imagine a better place for yoga?</p>
<p><img alt="morning yoga dome" title="morning yoga dome" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/26371846714_90ff34e1dd_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>9. Breathe in, breathe out.</p>
<p><img alt="yoga dome meditation" title="yoga dome meditation" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/15616595955_4745b16cf6_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>10. Fresh air and calming views. </p>
<p><img alt="outdoor yoga" title="outdoor yoga" height="426" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/15430603307_528813f216_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>11. A moment to unwind...</p>
<p><img alt="relaxation yoga" title="relaxation yoga" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/27250620364_549a352e12_z.jpg" /></p>
<p>12. A good stretch.</p>
<p><img alt="yoga at ecocamp" title="yoga at ecocamp" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/24477233566_44b980ae86_z%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/WYtu-END6mI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 20 Jun 2017 13:57:09 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2846 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/12-Pictures-Yoga-EcoCamp-Will-Make-You-Want-Namaste-UsRunning the Patagonia International Marathon with EcoCamp Ambassador Laura Lisowskihttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/wHcuxlboULQ/Running-Patagonia-International-Marathon-EcoCamp-Ambassador-Laura-Lisowski
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="text-align: center;"><em>I see skies of blue and clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the sacred night</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>And I think to myself… what a wonderful world.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces of people going by.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>They’re really saying… I love you.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>And I think to myself… what a wonderful world.</em></p>
<p>Around mile 13 a fellow marathoner caught up to the pack of runners I was in, smirking knowingly as he turned up his handheld speaker which so fittingly emitted Louis Armstrong’s ‘It’s a Wonderful World’. I looked over, laughed, and even slightly shook my head, knowing that as cliché of a moment as it was, it was one that would surely stick with me for years to come. </p>
<p>This wonderful world indeed seemed to whiz by me in a blur as I finished the back half of the Patagonia International Marathon, the tune seemingly serving as a temporary remedy to help me overcome the endless stretches of painfully beautiful hills, a glaring reminder of the long training runs I hadn’t done back home in London. I crossed the finish line, taking mental snapshots of as many views of Los Cuernos as possible while trying to regain my breath. I shook hands with fellow finishers. I searched for the nearest apple or sandwich. </p>
<p><img alt="Laura Lisowski" title="Laura Lisowski" height="613" width="920" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://173.231.157.243/sites/default/files/media/ecocamp3%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
<p>I looked around and absorbed every single thing I could about this moment: the sunshine beaming down on my face, the surprisingly wind-free conditions, the way the late morning light hit the snow, the people congratulating each other, in awe of what they had just accomplished. This was my place and these were my people. </p>
<p>All I could think was: I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I’m not sure I had ever felt that emotion so entirely before.</p>
<p>What I and the other thousands of runners had completed together that September morning would be a memory not soon (if ever) forgotten. Many marathons are run each year- and people run them for different reasons: personal goals, with or for family members, fundraising for a cause, etc. But this experience felt somehow different. With crossing that finish line, we would be bonded for life, not just by the race we had just completed, but by the experience of running in truly the most beautiful place on earth. That, and the effort it took to get there in the first place.</p>
<p><img alt="Torres del Paine Laura Lisowski" title="Torres del Paine Laura Lisowski" height="613" width="920" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://173.231.157.243/sites/default/files/media/ecocamp5%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
<p>Running in Patagonia is a different type of experience than running anywhere else.</p>
<p>It’s not just about a dedication to training, or the steady pulse of your feet hitting the pavement relentlessly for 26.2 miles on race day; It’s about getting back to the basics, and stretching our physical and mental limits as humans.</p>
<p>It’s about being reminded with every step that we are all a part of and wholly responsible for this uniquely pristine land.</p>
<p>It’s about respecting what we all stand for: beauty, purity, great wide open spaces – and the protection of them.</p>
<p>It’s about coming together as one, rather than being wedged apart, despite being individual racers, each with his or her own story, opinions and backgrounds.</p>
<p>The runners dedicated themselves to traveling many hours and thousands of miles, and in many cases, even days to being in Patagonia arrived to the race that day with one overarching personal truth: this is the place, and these are the moments that make us feel alive.</p>
<p>They give us faith. They give us hope. </p>
<p>My Patagonia marathon experience and desire to help do my part in this world and minimize my own footprint was only amplified by my stay at Ecocamp Patagonia with Cascada Expediciones. </p>
<p>As Torres del Paine’s first fully sustainable accommodation, Ecocamp is a place that you can relax in what feels like the most luxurious place on earth, but also feel good about doing so.</p>
<p>Ecocamp lives and breathes the same truths and mores as the runners who are attracted to the Patagonia marathon, and it’s not hard to see why it is so special to so many of us who stayed there before and after race day. </p>
<p><img alt="EcoCamp Laura Lisowski" title="EcoCamp Laura Lisowski" height="613" width="920" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://173.231.157.243/sites/default/files/media/ecocamp1%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
<p>The Ecocamp team fully embodies the spirit of giving back, teamwork, and supporting one’s own community: 90% of the guides are employed from local regions, all food is bought from nearby suppliers, the majority of the decoration inside the domes comes from Argentinian and Chilean artisans. And this isn’t limited to just the staffing and importing of products, but extends as well to the thoughtful construction of the domes themselves. The semi-spherical Ecocamp domes have skylight windows, are heated by the old-fashioned way (fire) and are constructed in such a way to minimize their impact on the Earth. </p>
<p>The property stays at the forefront of the newest green capabilities and actively seeks ways to improve and to do better (currently, electricity is limited and propane gas is used for heating, but the founders are in active talks to implement solar energy for heating in the near future). </p>
<p>The same way that we, as runners, are used to pushing our limits to the best of our ability, Ecocamp prides itself on pushing comfort ‘to the limits of what is sustainable’. Through their ethos, they demonstrate that within us all exists a capacity and ability to take care of and respect the land we live on. What matters most is our continued conscious effort and dedication to doing so. Ecocamp is trying harder than anyone I know, and creating a truly unique experience in doing so. </p>
<p><img alt="Laura Lisowski EcoCamp" title="Laura Lisowski EcoCamp" height="613" width="920" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://173.231.157.243/sites/default/files/media/ecocamp2%20%281%29.jpg" /></p>
<p>Track and field coach and cofounder of Nike’s Bill Bowerman once said, “The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race. It’s to test the limits of the human heart.”</p>
<p>I couldn’t agree more, and a stay at soulful Ecocamp combined with the experience of the Patagonia Marathon gave me the ultimate heartfelt experience. </p>
<p>Life feels simpler out there, but it feels just right.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-press field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/en/News/Trip-Diaries" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Trip Diaries</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/en/News/Guest-Stories" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Guest Stories</a></div></div></div><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/wHcuxlboULQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 13 Jun 2017 19:20:18 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2845 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Running-Patagonia-International-Marathon-EcoCamp-Ambassador-Laura-Lisowski6 Things to Do in Santiago During Winterhttp://feed.cascada.travel/~r/media/news/~3/7smNN76Epp4/6-Things-Do-Santiago-During-Winter
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Winter in the city is a magical time, and with its mountainous surroundings and cosmopolitan hustle and bustle, <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/City-Escapes"><strong>Santiago</strong></a> is a winter wonderland on par with the best of them. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Andean Cordillera, Santiago is <strong>South America’s rising star city</strong>, bursting with <strong>cultural activities, outdoor fun, a vibrant culinary scene, and endless entertainment options</strong>, from dawn til dusk and at all hours of the night. Add winter to the mix, and you have yourself the ultimate winter getaway. Whether you want to hit the slopes of the <strong>world-famous ski resorts</strong> just hours from Santiago, wine and dine yourself at the city’s bars and restaurants, or escape the cold by perusing <strong>Santiago’s many museums, art galleries, and shopping options</strong>, Santiago has something for every winter person, whether you’re a homebody who loves to cuddle up by the fire with a glass of wine, or an adrenaline junkie craving the thrills of a ski slope.</p>
<p>Plus, with our <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/promotions/Buy-winter-program-these-destinations-and-get-free-hotel-night-or-bike-wine-tour-Santiago">"Discover Winter in Chile"</a> special, you'll receive either a free hotel night or a free Bike &amp; Wine tour!</p>
<p><img alt="Santiago de Chile at night" title="Santiago de Chile at night" height="680" width="900" style="width: 940px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Santiago/santiago-at-night-.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>1. Soak up the view of the Cordillera from Santiago’s best lookouts</strong> - Santiago is beautifully situated in a sprawling river valley, towered over by the <strong>Cordillera of the Andes Mountains</strong>. These hulking mounds of ancient rock dominate the skyline and are equally impressive and humbling at any time of the year, but they are especially spectacular in winter, when the jagged peaks are dusted in white snow. One of the best places to appreciate the sheer scale of Santiago in relation to the mountains and enjoy the Instagram-worthy vista is from the top of <strong>Cerro Cristobal</strong>, a hill in central Santiago that is topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary, has a funicular, and is a popular spot for walks and family time on the weekends. But, if it’s a particularly cold day and you can’t motivate yourself to brave the cold for the view, head to the <strong>Gran Torre</strong> at the Costanera Center. This sleek skyscraper is the <strong>tallest in South America</strong>, and recently opened a viewing platform on the top floor, where visitors can be ‘wowed’ by a 360 degree panorama of those epic, snowy mountains and Santiago’s urban sprawl.</p>
<p><img alt="Andes Mountain - Santiago de Chile" title="Andes Mountain - Santiago de Chile" height="680" width="900" style="width: 940px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Santiago/santiago_mountains_viewpoint.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>2. Stock up on woolen goods</strong> - Being so far south and abutted on both sides by mountains and ocean, Chile gets cold in winter, so Chileans know how to keep the chill at bay. Knitting is practically a national pastime (for women and men!), and as you walk the streets during winter, most Chileans will be bundled up in a fuzzy cocoon of cozy knitwear. To score yourself some fashionable<em> lana</em>, check out weekend artisan ferias, as well as boutique clothing stores. One item to definitely splurge on would be anything made from <strong>vicuna wool</strong>. A relative to the llama, vicuna fur is gloriously soft and traps heat well, perfect for a souvenir hat or scarf that will keep you warm for many winters to come. Or, for something a bit more classic, go for sheep's wool from the wide-open <em>pampas</em> of Patagonia in the south. </p>
<p><img alt="Sheep shearing at Patagonian estancia" title="Sheep shearing at Patagonian estancia" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/33579719371_ec61117aea_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>3. <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/Snow-Adventures">Ski your heart out at nearby ski resorts</a></strong> - The mountains that create such a dramatic backdrop to the city also give central Chile some of the best ski slopes around, and as such, Chile is a world-class destination for downhill skiing. Tucked away in the mountains just 2 hours from the city, <strong>Ski Portillo</strong> is home to some of the finest downhill runs in the area, with athletes traveling from all over the world to train. Slightly closer at only an hour outside Santiago, <strong>Valle Nevado</strong> sits perched above the clouds, overlooking South America’s largest skiable area stretched over three separate valleys. Both resorts have a variety of runs and off-pistes for all levels, from beginner to advanced, offer equipment rental and other amenities and entertainment options, and on average get more than 20 feet of snow per year. There’s no better place to enjoy a summer of skiing than at Santiago’s ski resorts. And best of all, when you need a break from the slopes, make the short drive back into town to enjoy all the fun that Santiago has to offer!</p>
<p><img alt="Family skiing in Portillo" title="Family skiing in Portillo" height="424" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/25688165283_0186ae13a2_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>4. Raise a glass to winter wine </strong>- Chile’s reputation for fine wine is justly earned, and with many of the country’s best vineyards located a mere hour or so away in neighboring valleys, there’s no excuse not to head out of the city for some <strong>wine tours</strong>. On the tours, you’ll learn about the winemaking process and the history of wine in Chile, and also be treated to tastings of the vineyard’s choice varietals. But there’s also plenty of wine-centric things to do in the city, such as seeking out one of Santiago’s wine bars, like Bocanariz or La Liguria, for a few glasses or to compare and contrast with a wine flight, or trying a steaming cup of <em>navegado</em>, which is the Chilean version of mulled wine (try out the recipe <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/News/Celebrate-Mulled-Wine-Day-Chilean-Navegado">here</a>). After all, wine and winter go hand in hand.</p>
<p><img alt="Wine tasting at Concha y Toro" title="Wine tasting at Concha y Toro" height="427" width="640" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/7824043252_7f78ffc7bc_z.jpg" /></p>
<p><strong>5. Chow down on tasty winter fare at one of Santiago’s great restaurants</strong> - Whether looking for a sit-down dinner at a fancy restaurant, eager to try some authentic Chilean dishes, or hankering for a quick snack on the go during all that sightseeing, Santiago has you covered! For street food, look no further than the empanada and sopaipilla carts that can be found on many street corners, where you can stuff yourself on chewy, savory sopaipillas made from Andean pumpkin, or any of a variety of empanadas, such as cheese, ground beef, or neapolitana. For quintessential Chilean food, try out one of the city’s many fuente de sodas - the Chilean equivalent of a diner - for seasonal dishes like cazuela or pantrucas, or head to classic restaurants like La Liguria to take on Chile’s hearty sandwiches. But Santiago is also proving itself a rising star in innovative cuisine, with new, imaginative restaurants serving up unique takes on traditional Chilean recipes opening up every day. Just take Borago, ranked as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World, or Aqui Esta Coco. No matter what you’re craving, Santiago will provide.</p>
<p><img height="280" width="730" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Santiago/chilean_experience_culinary_day_tour_group.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong>6. <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/experiences/City-Escapes">See the sights with fewer crowds</a></strong> - Sightseeing in winter can sometimes be hindered by bad weather or low temperatures, but one added bonus is that there will be fewer or no crowds at popular tourist sites! Take in the splendor of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Santiago without the masses of people; stroll through trendy neighborhoods like Lastarria and Bellavista and feel like a local instead of just being part of the tourist crowd; see the whimsical home of Chile’s beloved poet, Pablo Neruda, sans the crush of tour groups; and wander through Santiago’s many fine museums, like the Fine Arts Museum, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the National Museum, the Natural History museum, and many more, free to peruse the exhibits and educate yourself at your leisure.</p>
<p><img alt="Plaza de Armas - Santiago city walking tour" title="Plaza de Armas - Santiago city walking tour" height="680" width="900" style="width: 920px;" class="media-element file-default" typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.ecocamp.travel/sites/default/files/media/Destinations/Santiago/santiago_city_tour_.jpg" /></p>
<p>Find out more about our winter tours and deals <a href="https://www.cascada.travel/en/promotions/Buy-winter-program-these-destinations-and-get-free-hotel-night-or-bike-wine-tour-Santiago">here</a>!</p>
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/media/news/~4/7smNN76Epp4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:02:07 +0000Zoe Baillargeon2844 at https://www.cascada.travelhttps://www.cascada.travel/en/News/6-Things-Do-Santiago-During-Winter